Bosley Locks.

By the close of play yesterday there were four other boats ready to go up the locks today. We weren't going to be off early to get the locks first so just decided to go at out normal time. I couple had started up before us so the locks would be all against us.

View from the galley window this morning.

By the time we left the first lock the first boat coming down the locks arrived. This looked good for the rest of the locks.

Arriving at the first lock of the Bosley Locks.

The boats kept coming down and we exchanged chat about this and that. The weather looked like it may rain but it actually held off and was just right for doing lock work. They are just nicely apart so you can walk on and set them ahead if nothing is coming down.

Somebody checking out our progress.

Everything was going well until the middle of the flight and as we came out of the lock two boats that had obviously spent the night their pulled out ahead of us. That meant we were now in a queue and that all the locks would be against us. Good job we are not in a hurry and as it turned out there were more boats coming down.

Helen coming in to the lock, five from the top.

It is good to see that Helen has her glasses on and was able to see where she was going!

As we neared the top of the flight we got a different view of the Cloud. It seems that the locks were constructed from sandstone quarried from it's slopes.

From the top it was plain sailing if a little shallow and a bit narrow with reeds etc. We had to negotiate two swing bridges. The first was electrically operated and all went well. The second was hand operated but we arrived just as a boat crew had landed and were starting to swing it so straight through. We continued to the Gurnett Aqueduct and had a little walk down to the Garden Centre nearby. Our tubs have taken a pasting with the weather and it was time to get the winter plants in. I will have a photograph tomorrow. I took the back of the roof sliding hatch off to treat some rust spots I had noticed. I must remember to paint them up when we get a dry day.

To the Cloud.

Although the weather wasn't supposed to be very good today we decided to move on a short way to the foot of the Bosley Locks. Actually we kept dry through out the short leg.

You have to include a photo of a turn over bridge on the Macclesfield as they are so beautiful. This Bridge 76 just north of Congleton.

We stopped to top up with water at Buglawton Wharf and we were soon off again. The Cloud, a local hill off 343m 1125ft, came into view. It stands proud from the surroundings and has a rounded aspect fro certain views. The hill has Chatsworth Grit over mudstones so the harder grit prevents the erosion of the softer mudstones. The rounded shape came from the passage of the ice during the last ice age. It has been the site of many ancient localisation due to its protected site.

The Cloud from the West.

Once clear of Congleton the canal goes over an aqueduct over a feeder for the River Dane. Just afterwards is Vaudrey's Wharf. The canal was completed in 1831 and Charles Vaudrey built the wharf to service his silk mill in Bath Vale. Soon afterwards the railway came to the valley and it became a useful transhipment and merchants wharf. Cheese, timber, coal, sugar cotton and pottery etc was handled here. There are great worries about the Wharf now though as there is a serious leak in to the valley below. This could cause a breech and drain a long length of canal. It was actually owned still by the railway. Some time ago it was to be bought by British Waterways but they pulled out in the end due to lack of funds. Something will have to be done sometime to prevent a catastrophe.

Vaudrey's Wharf. 

After mooring up just over the Dane Aqueduct and just before the Bosely Locks and having lunch we went for a walk between the showers. We are moored just above us where the canal just goes clear of the aqueduct.

The Macclesfield Canal Dane Valley Aqueduct.

A little further down the valley is the Railway Viaduct that has 23 arches and was completed in 1841. It stands 105 ft (32m) above the valley.

The Dane Valley Railway Viaduct.

A bit before the mooring we saw a lovely black and white timbered building and as we passed it again on our walk I thought I would look it up. It is Crossley Hall Farm and was up for sale previously at £600,000. It was built the late 16th or early 18th Century and now has 5 bedrooms, many outbuildings for holiday let with 7 acres and a canal frontage.

Crossley Hall Farm.

A bridge over an overflow weir on the Macclesfield Canal just close to our mooring.

Congleton.

We had a great lie in this morning as we decided to stay put today and explore the town a little. It has been very windy ans showery day but we seem to have largely managed to avoid getting wet. We walked in to town via a country path that came out near the church of St. Peters. It has a very unusual side porch on to the street. It seemed to be closed so we couldn't look inside this Georgian Grade 1 listed church. It was built in 1742 and the porch added sometime between 1829 and 1840.

St. Peter's Church, Congleton.

We walked down to the river and could see several buildings that were obviously old mills. It seems that originally it was a silk mill places but by 1860 silk could be made much cheaper abroad. However the mills were turned over to fustian (which is a heavy woven cloth) and velvet. They are largely altered to offices and apartments. The Victorian ornamental park was very nicely laid out and was colourful. The nick name is Bear Town and this dates back to the 1660's when the bear kept for baiting died. The town folk were worried that they would not get to see their bear baiting so it is said that they sold the town bible to buy another bear! It is more likely that the Town Council lent the Bearward (Keeper) the 16 shillings from the fund that was being built up to buy a new bible.

Congleton Town Hall is the most imposing building in the town. It was built in 1864. Unfortunately the Town museum was closed on Monday.

The site of an old picture house has been re-landscaped for the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012. I haven't seen many projects for the Diamond Jubilee yet. It is a lovely garden tended by volunteers.

The aqueduct just near our moorings.

Our moorings opposite Congleton Wharf.

We have managed to book 'Holderness' into dry dock at Portland Basin to have the propeller sorted out. We were to be moored at their Droylsden Marina so it works out quite well that they had a slot available for us at the right time.

Through the Tunnel.

I was up early and ready for the first passage trough the Harecastle Tunnel and 0800. There were four of us waiting. The morning was overcast and still, which was a bit of a surprise as the BBC had forecast a massive storm. We had decided to get through the tunnel and get to Ramsdell Hall on the Macclesfield Canal, and if it wasn't too bad continue to Congleton.

Harecastle Tunnel southern portal and cottage.

We were off prompt at 0800 and were clear again in 45 mins. and yes it had started raining of the north side of the hill. How ever it soon stopped and by the time we turned off the Trent and Mersey and onto the Pool Lock Aqueduct where the canal crosses over the canal you have just left. The Trent and Mersey Canal Company weren't sure about joining up with the new Macclesfield Canal and so they built the aqueduct and so the Macclesfield actually starts at Hall Green Lock. Here neither accommodated the other and there was a sort of border crossing. There was two stop locks and two Lock Keepers Cottages and two stable blocks to make sure each were protected from the other.

Hall Green Stop Lock. Whist there is only one stop lock now you can see that the canal narrows for a long distance behind the boat and this is where the other lock would have been. You can also see the two different styles of cottages too.

The weather had settled down to dull, but the rain had stopped and later the sun even tried to get out. We were soon by Mow Cop and Ramsdell Hall and decided to crack on to Congleton.

Mow Cop is not a ruined castle but a summer house folly built by Randle Wilbraham of Rode Hall. It is most famous perhaps for being at the start of Primitive Methodism. In 1809 William Clowes and Hugh Bourne had become disenchanted with the Wesleyans, and to be honest thyeynhad with them too. The main difference was that they were evangelical and they held all day long Camp Meetings of prayer and preaching. Willaim Clowes was from Burslem and had given up trying to become the best dancer in the country and was then a potter. Hugh Bourne was a wheelwright. on 31st May 1809 they held a 14 hour Camp Meeting together on Mow Cop. After this the two sets of worshipers came together to form the Primitive Methodists in 1810.

We arrived at Congleton Wharf moorings in the dry and even the wind wasn't too bad. We decided to pop into town to buy a paper and have a look round. Unusually there was no Newsagent open and thew only place we could get a paper was at Morrisons. The town looks interesting and we will explore more tomorrow. We sat and had a coffee at a Costa and read a bit of the paper. All very decadent(ant?) for me, but very civilised. By the time we left it was raining and the wind was up. It was good to get back and battened down in the boat. Jobs and cooking to do for the rest of the day.

Marathon and Mishap.

Sorry that there was no post last night but this is it, a little late. We went to have a look round Stone and see what the market had to offer. Not a lot as it turned out. It was nice to have a wander and pick up a few bits and pieces. After a cup of tea back at the boat we pulled the pins and set off, a couple of hundred yards to fill up with water! There was a steady stream of boats both ways and once we filled up we slotted in and went up the first, Star Lock. The were Lockies in attendance and they told Helen that on the days they were there they averaged 70 boats a day and that it was the busiest flight on the system. I doubt that but it is still busy. The next lock is Workhouse Lock as the bridge crossed over to the Workhouse. By the bridge is a wooden figure and this is dedicated to a Christina Collins. In times past the canal was the National Coach equivalent of getting about long distance cheaply. To get from Preston Brook at the north of the Trent and Mersey to London cost 1/6p as the fly passenger boats travelled down. Pickfords, the house removers and heavy road transport company used to have boats doing this journey. Christina Collins was on passage when the three men and a boy who were working the boat started to drink. She must have felt threatened as she reported her worries to the Toll Keeper at Stone. He told her to report them at the end of the journey. Unfortunately she never arrived as her body was found in the cut near Rugeley. In the end two men were hung and one was transported for the murder. The Workhouse was built in 1793 and is still there. After being a hospital it is now appartments. When a workhouse there were about 60 'inmates' and they were put to work making blankets, linen and mops.

Wooden figure dedicated to the murdered Christina Collins.

Workhouse Lock with the Christina Collins Figure.

The Stone Workhouse as it is today.

Between the top of the four Stone Locks and bottom of the Meaford locks were these Weeping Willow Trees with a haircut. I wish more had been trimmed as it does look neat and helps to stop everything been swept off the roof, and means you can actually see what is coming the other way.

As I was coming up to the bottom lock at Meaford there was a very fast 'clunck' as something went through the propeller. It was very quick and I thought nothing of it. As I got in the lock I felt that the boat wasn't reacting properly and I had a quick look in the weed hatch but couldn't see anything. It was only when we cleared the lock flight and got properly underway that I could hear something odd too. Once again I stopped and checked down the weed hatch and found we had two bent blades on the propeller! It meant that we weren't quite so manageable but the vibration was minimal and it seemed that we just needed a few more revs to achieve the same speed so not too serious for now. I would have to find a dry dock etc to get it off and straightened. I now don't need to worry about whether to black the boat this year as we may as well do them both together and save a dry dock fee.

Our original plan was to stop for the night at Etruria. There were lots of boats heading there that there would likely be no room and with the forecast of evil weather for Sunday we decided to press on to Harecastle Tunnel. We finished at about 1930 so it was a full eight and a half hour day. Mind you we were following a few boats and they were not the slippiest through the locks so it added a bit on to the time.

What looks like a Stone Mason's mark in Etruria Lock. If this is really a mason's mark it is the most intricate I have seen and must have taken them a fair bit of time to complete. As it was very distinctive it would ensure their work was not mistaken as anybody else's so ensured they were paid for their work correctly.

As we came through Etruria, the last lock of the day I also noticed that it was a fair bit wider than a normal lock, maybe by more than 6 inches. When I read the notice board I saw that it was a gauging lock too. This was where they measured the draft and freeboard of the boats by putting measures down the side of the vessel so probably needed the extra width. The notice also said that the lock was covered over to protect those doing this work. Wouldn't that be a great idea to have all the locks covered over, maybe like those covered bridge in New England. Especially on a day like today (Sunday).

Etruria Lock.

Trent and Mersey Canal on the right with Etruria lock and the Caldon Canal on the left. It is a pretty tight turn when coming out of the lock and heading up the Caldon Canal.

Boats Everywhere.

I'm still finding it difficult to adjust the the large numbers of boats moving after the lovely quiet time we had in and around Birmingham. I suppose it will again the usual until the weather really turns and numbers thin everywhere.

Before we left our overnight mooring I went and striped some stands of wild hops from the hedgerows. The plan is the we will dry them off and use them to make wreaths etc for Christmas. The hedges are over run with the stuff here abouts.

Last nights mooring. The canal width is reduced in width a fair bit by reeds but there are passing places spaced well.

The canal runs alongside the railway here but we didn't seem to be woken by them at all. It has plenty of Virgin Trains and lots of freight trains too. Just over the Sow Aqueduct we passed the Narrow Boat Trust Co Ltd Motor Boat 'Nuneaton' and Butty 'Brighton'. They are worked as a pair when ever possible and members can experience working a pair like in working days. 'Nuneaton' was built in Northwich and launched in August 1936 and 'Brighton' was built by Harland and Wolff in Woolwich and launched in December 1935. They both looked in very good nick.

Motor Boat 'Brighton'.

Butty 'Brighton'.

Tixall Lock is very scenic with the white painted cottage and the white rimmed bridge too. There is also an old canal crane on what must have been an old wharf. This was to be the first of five to be done today. At every one we had a boat in front of us, but also boats coming down too and that makes things easier as there is help with the paddles and the gates can be left open too.

Tixall Gatehouse.

After the lock comes the wide. The canal widens out to a small lake and on the off side is the Tixall Gatehouse. This is all that is left of the Hall that was built in the 16th Century. It is a Grade 1 listed building. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here. There is a stable near by. The Hall itself was demolished in 1927. There are extensive moorings along the Wide and even at 1130 there were lots moored up there as it is very popular.

We passed four boats  moving in the Wide and each seemed to come close to the tow path where I was hoping to go right out to the other side and 'experience' the feeling of space. Next time! I was hoping to be able to carry out a round turn, just for fun.

The sun had been trying all the time but was dull as we came up to Great Haywood Junction. There was the usual scrum at the Junction with four boats taking or waiting for water. As I remember it is quite a slow tap there too. We now left the Staffs. and Worcester Canal and were back on the Trent and Mersey Canal and heading North. The locks came well spaced out but we still seemed to meet folks at the locks and the boats kept coming past. The obligatory meeting at bridges and bends occasional happened too. The day had got dull now and as we approached Stone it was spotting with rain. We moored up below the lock on pins and as we got inside it started to rain in earnest, so our timing was good for a change.

For the first few locks we seemed to be in a slight queue. It turned out that there were two single handers a head of the pack that meant that, as the locks were spread out, we kept telescoping together. It wasn't a long delay and meant that we could chew the fat at each lock. The guys from 'Kathryn' gave us a bag of books that they had finished with too.

Helen swinging the windlass at the second lock of the day, Penkridge Lock No.38.

The locks are well spaced out and although the M6 runs close to the canal for a lot of todays lenght it still has a rural feel to it. Just before Deptmore Lock the M6 leaves the cut and the lock has a real isolated feel to it. In fact there didn't used to be a road to the locks cottages.

Deptmore Lock and cottages with Helen waiting for the lock to fill.

As the M6 went on it's way the sun came out and Macy came out too to sit on the roof and enjoy the fresh air. Everything was fine, she sat nicely and didn't try to jump off when we got in the lock and as we descended in to the dark, until Helen opened the gate and that seemed to freak her out and she kept trying to jump up onto the lock side. She then dashed in side. I'm not sure what spooked her but at least she didn't fall in.

Macy enjoying the sunshine on the roof.

Soon after the lock we came across Stafford Boat Club. The club house looks very palatial as does the dry dock. It may be a spot to moor in the future to take advantage of their facilities as the moorinbgs look nice too.

Stafford Boat Club and the bridge over the entrance to their moorings.

It has been busy with boats again today. I think it will take me a few days more to get used to the numbers after our time around the back of Birmingham. Most going our way seemed to be heading for Tixall Wide. We decided to stop earlier if a spot came up so that Macy could have a quiet place after being in the city for so long. Where there are loads of boats there are loads of dogs and Macy doesn't really get to have a wander about. There were also loads of blackberries to pick too.

A Comma butterfly soaking up the rays.